Bayonne issue statement after axeing Grégory Patat mid-season

Despite a sensational 2024/25 season, when Bayonne qualified for the Top 14 semi-finals for the first time in 42 years, Grégory Patat’s time with Aviron Bayonnais is over, as the club announced this morning.

In a short statement on their website, the French Basque club said:

“This decision comes at a crucial point in the season, as the main team needs a fresh start. Since our goals for the season are still attainable, making this decision was necessary for the club to continue striving toward its targets.”

“Aviron Bayonnais would like to thank Grégory Patat for the work accomplished at the head of the first team during these three and a half seasons, during which he contributed to the club’s progress in the Top 14 and on the European stage.”

Patat, who previously worked with Stade Rochelais between 2014 and 2021 as espoirs and senior forwards coach, signed his first contract with Bayonne in 2022.

In his first two seasons at the club, Patat managed only eighth and 12th-place Top 14 finishes, with Aviron Bayonnais president Philippe Tayeb unhappy with the team’s performance. Rumours arose of growing unease between the two, with Tayeb searching for a suitable replacement.

Nonetheless, it was under Patat’s reign as general manager that Bleu Ciel et Blanc achieved their best Top 14 regular season finish in 15 years, placing fourth in 2025.

Facing Clermont at home, Bayonne came out on top to qualify for the Top 14 semi-final, a first since 1983. Although Patat and the club fell short against Stade Toulousain in the subsequent semi-final, fans still considered the season a success.

However, the relationship between Philippe Tayeb and Grégory Patat has not been the same, with several clashes between them in the last six months.

Even though the club extended the general manager’s contract last October, Tayeb decided to hire former Racing 92 head coach Laurent Travers as Bayonne’s director of rugby, which only made matters worse.

After several disappointing results, and with the club in 12th place, Patat was relieved of his role on Thursday, bringing an end to his tenure.

Backs coach Gérard Fraser will now take the reins until the end of the season.